This weekend, we did a fun project from the May 2010 issue of Family Fun magazine – a marshmallow catapult!

Actually, we didn’t have any marshmallows, so we have been launching cotton balls. This was a fun craft that was fairly easy to make, although it is definitely not one that kids can make all by themselves. The boys were happy that it works like a real catapult, and I was happy that there was no risk of damage to the house!

For this project, you will need:

  • An empty tissue box (family size)
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • Ballpoint pen
  • Pushpin
  • 2 rubber bands (maybe more)
  • 2 unsharpened pencils
  • 4-inch length of pipe cleaner
  • Tape
  • Plastic cap (from a milk jug; but we used a juice cap)
  • Glue

Step 1. Make the opening of the box larger but cutting it as shown.

Step 2. Punch a hole 2 inches from one end and 1/2 inch down from the opening of the box. Make a matching hole on the other side of the box. Use the pen to make the holes bigger so the pencils can fit though (we didn’t need to make them much bigger).

Step 3. In the center of the far end of the box (the opposite end from where you punched your two holes), poke a hole with the pushpin 1/4 inch up from the bottom.


Step 4. Use one rubber band to tie the pencils into a cross shape, as shown. The magazine said to cut the rubber band and use it as a strip. I couldn’t get that to work, so I used an uncut rubber band and wrapped it around the two pencils. Loop the other band around the 2 inch pencil section, as shown above.

Step 5. Insert the pencils into the box holes. Fold the pipe cleaner around the rubber band loop and poke both ends through the hole near the base. Spread open the pipe cleaner ends and tape them to the outside of the box. Attach a plastic cap to the end of the pencil with glue. (We ended up using hot glue because tacky glue didn’t stick, even after clamping it for an hour…)

Here is a picture of how the pipe cleaner end works. I ended up using two rubber bands looped together, because one wouldn’t stretch all the way to that hole. Our catapult now has less torque, so it doesn’t shoot as strongly. One long rubber band would probably work the best.

Here is how the finished catapult should look! We are holding it down into this position. In this picture, the catapult is ready to shoot. Simply let go, and the pencil flies up and flings the marshmallow!

We live in Texas, where it is way too hot to go outside, and this project was a fun way to let off a little steam!

11 Comments

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  1. baily Dec 14, 2011

    how far (in meters) does this shoot???

    Reply
  2. AWESOME Apr 26, 2012

    this is so cool thanks for the idea :)

    Reply
  3. Shelly Smith Jul 18, 2012

    we did this today- lots of fun!!

    Reply
    1. Sarah Jul 19, 2012

      Yeah! So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
      1. kat Oct 8, 2015

        it has not work well for me

        Reply
  4. rachelll Apr 3, 2013

    how far do this shoot in meters? too cool!

    Reply
  5. kiana Sep 20, 2013

    we will use this for our school technology project

    Reply
  6. Hani Sofea :) Sep 21, 2013

    thank you so much! :D i'll do this for my science project! xD cool bro!

    Reply
  7. cassandra Apr 28, 2014

    this is so cool hi

    Reply
  8. jtra Jun 24, 2014

    what does the 2 in. pencil section mean in step 4?

    Reply
  9. Jasmine alman Feb 16, 2016

    Did this for my daughters school project(p.s. Got an a+!) FYI:girls rule and boys drool!

    Reply
  10. Riley Mar 27, 2019

    cool

    Reply
  11. This guy May 18, 2021

    It worked!

    Reply

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